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Oahu Redux

Ko Olina Lagoon

It's always a treat to getaway to Oahu. Much as I like to walk around Ala Moana Park as I did in the old days, I've traded this to walking at Ko Olina where the beaches are less crowded, especially on a weekday, and the scenery is enhanced by five peaceful lagoons.  It's also a good place to enjoy the sunset. 

Shaved Ice from Matsumoto

On my travel bucket list for Oahu is to try new restaurants. Honolulu Magazine annually weighs in on the Best Restaurants in Hawaii by category and I use their list as my guide. Last November we tried Assaggio Ristorante Italiano at the Ala Moana Shopping Center. I ordered their Fresh Eggplant Milanese over a bed of linguine and it was very good. The diced eggplant was soft to the bite. For local flavor, we went to Matsumoto in Haleiwa for their famous shaved ice. I chose the mango flavor and we sat on the bench outside the grocery store to enjoy this delicious flavored ice and were rewarded with a view of the picturesque Liliuokalani Protestant Church across the street.

Liliuokalani Protestant Church

Farther up the road from Matsumoto's is the world renowned Banzai Pipeline, the big draw for all earnest surfers. We watched as some of them were coming back to shore as it was getting late. But we also saw a handful of them who were paddling out to meet the waves.  

North Shore

Our souvenir shopping discovery was Don Quijote in Waikele where we found boxes of chocolate covered macadamia nuts and Kauai cookies at bargain prices. These goodies are always appreciated by friends and family on the mainland.

Aloha Oahu for the moment. Looking forward to more visits in 2014.

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Images by TravelswithCharie



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